Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, Nov. 17.

Click 👉TODAY IN HISTORY (general history) Nov. 17

ON THIS DAY IN CONFEDERATE HISTORY, Nov. 17

1862: Confederate Secretary of War George W. Randolph resigns after disagreements with President Davis and some Confederate generals. He is replaced temporarily by General G.W. Smith. James Seddon was appointed Secretary of War on Nov. 21, 1862, and served the longest in that office, to Feb. 5, 1865.

Also in 1862, the Confederate Cruiser C.S.S. Alabama arrives in the French colony of Martinique shadowed by the U.S.S. San Jacinto. San Jacinto pulls into port briefly then goes out again to be in a good position to attack the Confederate cruiser. However, Alabama's commander, Capt. Raphael Semmes outsmarts the Yankee and slips by undetected. The very presence of Alabama in the Caribbean strikes fear in the blockading Federal ships, with good reason.

CSS ALABAMA (US Navy Historical Center)

Col. Alfred M. Hobby of the 8th Tex. Inf.

1863: In the Battle of Mustang Island off the coast of Texas, a detachment of 98 Confederate infantry, in Fort Semmes, including the 3rd Texas State Militia and Company I of the 8th Texas Infantry under Captain William H. Maltby were greatly outnumbered by three Federal infantry regiments under Brig. Gen. Thomas E.G. Ransom was backed by the U.S.S. Monongahela. The Confederates surrendered to the Northern invaders after brief fighting. The prisoners of war are taken to New Orleans. 

1864: President Jefferson Davis denounces any plans by individual states to make a separate peace with the United States. 

Skirmishing occurs in Georgia, and in North Alabama at Maysville and New Market.

CONFEDERATE GENERAL BIRTHDAYS, Nov. 17

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